Luton 2 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

Goals from Glen Rea and Jorge Grant secured the points for the Hatters who remain unbeaten at Kenilworth Road.

On what was a disappointing afternoon for Dean Keates’s side, the hosts took control from the off with the Saddlers unable to find the form they have previously shown in League One this season.

And on another day, Luton could have won by a greater scoreline with Liam Roberts making some excellent saves to keep out Sonny Bradley and Harry Cornick late on. Danny Hylton also missed a glorious opportunity.

The result leaves Walsall eighth in League One, three points outside the play-offs but with a game in hand.

Analysis

Boss Keates opted to keep faith with the team that began the clash at Bristol Rovers when naming his starting line-up.

It meant, despite scoring the winner from the bench at the Memorial Stadium, Kieron Morris again had to make do with a place amongst the substitutes.

Liam Kinsella also retained his spot in central midfield with the Saddlers lining up in a 4-4-2 formation that saw Andy Cook partner Morgan Ferrier in attack.

Luton opted for a midfield diamond system with James Collins and Danny Hylton the front two and Andrew Shinnie in the number 10 role.

In the opening 20 minutes, Luton showed exactly why they have such a good home record with Nathan Jones’ men taking control of the clash with some excellent football.

The hosts - in what was a fluid system - had moved the ball around well while Walsall, in complete contrast, had struggled to enjoy a sustained spell on possession.

And in the 19th minute the Hatters grabbed what was a deserved lead when - following their fourth corner - Rea bundled the ball in from close range.

The Saddlers just hadn’t been at the races with a Zeli Ismail free-kick, which went straight into the wall, their only sight of goal in the opening half-hour.

But while it was Luton who were proving far more innovative on the ball, their good play was often breaking down 18-yards from goal with Jones’ side struggling to create clear-cut chances.

And gradually Walsall began to improve with the Saddlers almost grabbing an equaliser just before the interval when Cook met a Nicky Devlin cross only to see his header well tipped over by James Shea.

Keates’ men started the second half looking much brighter on the ball.

But the hosts doubled their advantage in the 54th minute after Jon Guthrie was judged to have fouled the lively Grant on the edge of the box.

The Nottingham Forest loanee dusted himself down to take the free-kick and then curled an unstoppable strike past Liam Roberts from 20-yards.

Just moments later it was almost 3-0 with substitute James Justin darting into the box before seeing a low drive tipped onto the post by Roberts.

Luke Leahy was then in the right place to hack the ball clear from just in front of his own goal line.

With his side continuing to come under pressure, Keates made a double change with Kane Wilson and Connor Ronan replacing Devlin and Ismail.

It meant the Saddler switched to a 4-3-3 with Wilson at right-back, Ronan in central midfield and Josh Ginnelly and Ferrier either side of Cook.

Walsall’s afternoon was summed up in the 70th minute when - as they looked to break - Jon Guthrie’s pass hit the referee.

And that allowed Collins to dart into the box before seeing a shot well held by Roberts.

Ronan’s introduction was helping Walsall keep the ball better.

But Luton continued to look dangerous and they should have made it 3-0 when Hylton turned Jack Fitzwater inside out in the box before firing wide with the entire goal at his mercy.

Luton then threatened again with Collins heading narrowly over following a cross from Jack Stacey.

The hosts had now reasserted their authority and they had another glorious chance as the clock ticked towards the 90 minute mark.

After forcing a free-kick on the right, the ball fell kindly in the box for Sonny Bradley.

But from six-yards the defender fired straight at Roberts.

Then just moments later the keeper made another excellent stop when he stuck out a leg to keep out a Harry Cornick strike.

Luton: Shea, Stacey, Pearson, Bradley, Potts (Justin 44), Rea, Mpanzu, Shinnie, Grant (LuaLua 88), Hylton (Cornick 79), Collins.

Subs not used: Isted, McCormack, Lee, Sheehan.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Fitzwater, Devlin (Wilson 62), Ginnelly (Gordon 84), Kinsella, Dobson, Ismail (Ronan 62), Cook, Ferrier.

Subs not used: Dunn, Johnson, Osbourne, Morris.